Chapter 1 #3
The spiral staircase seemed even longer going down than it had coming up, each step taking me further from the safety of my temporary sanctuary and closer to whatever waited for me at Imperium.
I tried to ignore the persistent ache in my chest, the pull that wanted me to turn around, get on a plane, and go back to four men who had broken my heart.
Instead, I kept walking, one foot in front of the other. I’d survived worse than this. I would survive this too.
The common room was empty as I passed through it, though signs of recent occupation—an open book here, a half-drunk cup of tea there—suggested the Scorpio students weren’t far. I wondered what they’d make of me, the American Ophis suddenly dropped into their midst.
Outside, the mist had thickened as evening approached, wreathing the buildings in ghostly veils. I paused at the bottom of the tower steps, realizing I had no idea which direction to go.
“Lost already?” a voice asked from the shadows.
I turned, instinctively calling starlight to my fingertips before I could stop myself. Out from the shadows, leaning against the tower wall, stood a familiar figure. The scar on his face caught the light. It was James, a member of the Stardust Shield I’d met at the gala.
“Thought you might need a guide,” he said, taking a drag from his cigarette. The ember briefly lit up his green eyes before darkness claimed them again.
I let the glow fade from my fingers. “Were you waiting for me?”
“Yes.” He exhaled smoke into the misty air. “Figured you’d need help finding your way. This place is a maze at night.”
At the gala, I’d been too wrapped up in my own issues to pay much attention to the Stardust Shield, but I remembered James. There was something about him that screamed emotionally damaged. But weren’t we all?
“Jupiter!” Will called out, jogging over, his hair floppy and windswept. “Sorry I’m late! I got caught up with—oh.” He stopped when he saw James. “Evening, Kelso.” James nodded. “I was just coming to show Jupiter to Professor Winters’ office.” He glanced between us.
“I’ve got it,” James said, leaving no room for argument.
Will hesitated, looking to me for confirmation. I shrugged, uncertain myself why this guy was so interested in playing chaperone.
“Right,” Will said, stepping back. “I’ll see you in class, Jupiter. If you need anything, just ask.”
“Thanks, Will.”
He nodded respectfully and turned to leave, casting a curious look back.
I’d forgotten that the Stardust Shield attended Imperium. They were third-year students, I thought, though James appeared older, maybe twenty-four.
“You didn’t have to scare him off,” I said, watching Will disappear into the darkness.
James shrugged. “Will Thomas talks too much. You looked like you needed a break from the welcome committee.”
I laughed. “He’s just enthusiastic.”
“That’s one way to put it.” James crushed his cigarette under his boot. “Come on. Winters hates tardiness.”
As we walked, I noticed he kept a respectful distance, close enough to lead but not invade my space. It was a thoughtful gesture. I wasn’t sure how much overbearing male brooding I could physically take.
“How are you settling in?”
“I just arrived,” I reminded him. “But the tower’s nice. Different than I expected. Will mentioned… prophecies or something?”
James’s mouth quirked slightly. “Thomas needs to learn when to stay quiet.”
“So no prophecies.”
“I didn’t say that.” He gave me a sidelong look. “But some things are best explained by the informed.”
We turned a corner, revealing the Administration Wing, an impressive Tudor-style building with warmly glowing diamond-paned windows.
“The others are eager to meet you again,” James said as we approached the entrance.
“The others?”
“Stardust Shield. My brothers.”
“Oh, right. Yeah, it’ll be nice to see them again. They—you—were really kind at the gala. That night was uh, rough.” Internally I was cringing. That night wasn’t just rough. It fucked me up, and I was still crying myself to sleep at night.
He stopped at an ornate wooden door. “Winters’ office. I’ll wait and walk you to dinner after.”
“You don’t have to—“
“Go on.” He leaned against the wall, arms crossed. “I’ll be here.”
I hesitated, then nodded. “Thank you, James.”
“Jamie. Call me Jamie.”
I smiled, and knocked on Professor Winters’ door.
Her office, smaller than anticipated, was beautifully furnished with floor-to-ceiling bookshelves and a large desk against a window with a view of the grounds.
Star charts and maps lined the walls, giving the room an academic feel without being overly stuffy.
“Ms. Black,” she greeted me, looking up from a stack of papers. “Right on time.”
“Professor.” I took the seat she offered, feeling Noodle tighten a bit around my arm.
“I’ll be direct,” she said, clasping her hands on the desk. “Your transfer is very unusual. Mid-year moves between academies are rare, especially for someone with an established shield team of such prestige.”
“I needed a change.”
That was putting things lightly.
“Indeed.” She examined me for a moment longer.
“The official paperwork from Dominion cites ‘irreconcilable differences with current shield placement’ as the reason for transfer.” I kept my expression as neutral as I could despite the pain clanging through my chest. “Yet you were their axis at the Assembly gala.”
“Appearances aren’t always the entire story, Professor.”
She nodded absently, pulling a folder from her desk. “Quite so. I must say, your combat scores are exemplary. Director Waverly and Director Orion both speak highly of your control, though I do see a note here suggesting prioritizing field training.”
My lips twitched. “At first they had me in the field with an Assembly team. Mostly Class Three and Four bane incursions.”
“And you’re confident in your ability to handle real-world incursions without your shield?”
My heart gave a painful lurch. “Of course I am. I survived three years out there without them. I have no problem being alone.”
“Good to hear.” She closed the file. “At Imperium, Ms. Black, we have different expectations than Dominion. We’re older and more traditional in some ways, but also flexible, and I like to think we’re more understanding than our American counterparts.
We understand the thirteenth designation operates by different rules. ”
“You seem well-versed in Ophiuchus magic.”
“More than most, yes,” she admitted. “Truth be told, we’ve been waiting for someone like you for a very long time.”
“Why?”
Professor Winters regarded me thoughtfully.
“That’s a discussion for another time. Right now, I want to ensure you understand our expectations.
You’ll attend regular classes, training sessions, and designation-specific studies.
But you’ll also access resources unavailable at Dominion—texts and artifacts specific to the thirteenth designation. ”
“What kind of texts?”
“Historical accounts, theoretical works, practical applications of axis magic long forgotten elsewhere.” She smiled. “Our library is extensive.”
I narrowed my eyes. “Why are you telling me this? It sounds like you don’t get along with the Assembly.”
Something flickered in her eyes for a brief moment before it was gone. “You deserve to know what and who you are, Ms. Black. The full truth of your designation, not just their version. Anything less would be a disservice to not only you but to our species as a whole.”
Noodle stirred. ‘She knows things. Old thingsss.’
Before I could ask more, Professor Winters stood.
“Your schedule.” She handed me a paper. “Classes start tomorrow. Most are similar to Dominion’s, with a few additions.
You have a research period in the Restricted Archives thrice weekly.
I will also be making arrangements for field work as frequently as we can manage.
I’m afraid much of your magic must be learned outside of theoretical practice. ”
I scanned the schedule, noting Combat Training, Lineage History, Manifestation, and Portal Theory.
“Questions?”
I had hundreds but chose the most pressing. “Will I have to join a new shield?”
“That’s entirely your choice. At Imperium, we believe in natural bonds. Your situation with the Nightfall Shield is unfortunate, but not irreparable.”
I stiffened. “It is irreparable.”
She studied me for a moment. “Bonds between an axis and shield are old magic, Ms. Black. Older than our institutions. They don’t break easily.”
“I really don’t want to talk about this right now.”
Professor Winters inclined her head. “As you wish. But know that my door is always open should you change your mind.” She glanced at her clock. “Dinner starts soon. You have an escort waiting?”
I nodded, rising from my chair. “Thank you for the schedule.”
“One last thing,” she said as I reached the door. “The Stardust Shield wants to show you around tomorrow. They’re our finest warriors, and so I’ve approved it unless you object.”
“No objections. I’ve actually met them. They’re good guys.”
“Good. They’re exceptional students. All from very old families.” She smiled again, knowingly. “I think you’ll find them enlightening.”
With her cryptic remark hanging in the air, I left her office, my mind swirling with questions.
Jamie was right where I’d left him, another cigarette lit. He was lucky we Aelari healed fast because that shit would give him lung cancer otherwise.
“All set?” he asked, pushing off the wall.
“I guess so.” I shrugged, already feeling utterly exhausted.
We walked the courtyard in silence, the mist thickening as night fell.
Light glowed from windows, creating pools of warmth in the darkness.
We reached a large stone building with light pouring from tall windows.
The sounds of many voices spilled into the night, along with delicious aromas that reminded me that I hadn’t eaten since the flight.
“Great Hall,” Jamie said. “Ready to make your entrance?”